inward

adjective

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in·ward | \ ˈin-wərd

Definition of inward

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : situated on the inside : inner

2a : of or relating to the mind or spirit inward peace

b : absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective

3 : marked by close acquaintance : familiar

4 : directed toward the interior

inward

adverb

\ ˈin-wərd

variants: or inwards \ ˈin-wərdz

Definition of inward (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : toward the inside, center, or interior

2 : toward the inner being

inward

noun

Definition of inward (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : something that is inward

2 inwards\ ˈin-ərdz

, -wərdz \ plural : innards

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about inward

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Synonyms & Antonyms for inward

Synonyms: Adjective

Synonyms: Noun

Antonyms: Adjective

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Adjective moved towards the inward room for more privacy he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet Adverb The window faces inward toward the courtyard. He turned his attention inward.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The oversized pedals have adjustable foot beds and a 2-degree inward slope that reduces ankle and knee stress which is common in other ellipticals. — Dave Johnson, Forbes, "The 7 Best Ellipticals For Reaching Your Fitness Goals At Home," 27 Feb. 2021 Abby has pointed out Charli's inward pointing feet, though, she's actually done it multiple times before. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Abby Lee Miller Just Called Out Charli D'Amelio Again On Instagram," 19 Feb. 2021 The shock wave must also fight against the inward spiral of the star’s outermost layers, which are still falling onto the core. — Quanta Magazine, "Secret Ingredient Found to Power Supernovas," 21 Jan. 2021 Last November, scientists from Virginia Tech published research on the inward and outward effectiveness of cloth face masks, surgical masks, and face shields. — Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, "Cloth Masks, Surgical Masks, or Double Masks: Which Are Safest?," 22 Jan. 2021 Together, these moves by the foundation would steer Wikipedia toward a path that is less inward facing and more reliant on the outside professionals at the foundation. — Noam Cohen, Wired, "Wikipedia's Biggest Challenge Awaits in 2021," 4 Jan. 2021 Looking at pictures of the Sea Shadow, McMahon commented particularly on the inward slant, or dihedral, of the hull struts. — Abe Dane, Popular Mechanics, "Remembering the Sea Shadow, America's 'Invisible Warship'," 3 Dec. 2020 While the government can serve, with its police powers, as our external monitor, a society will not stand unless people are responsive to their inward monitor. — Tod Worner, National Review, "A Dangerous Imbalance: Restoring Order to a Republic in Crisis," 25 Oct. 2020 In that effort 35 nights ago, this runner got a bit rambunctious in the gate prior to breaking a tad slow and inward to lose some ground and some early racing momentum. — John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, "Horse racing newsletter: A look ahead to Santa Anita," 27 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb For the United States to reckon fully with Donald Trump and his legacy, white evangelical leaders and their communities must lead a deep process of inward-looking discernment. — Charles King, Time, "I, Too, Was Once a Soldier of the Apocalypse: Why White Evangelicals Must Choose Between Reform and American Extremism," 1 Mar. 2021 After looking inward, start looking outward and ask yourself: What opportunities turn me on and engage my energies? — Connie Baher, Star Tribune, "Plan now for your post-COVID comeback," 24 Feb. 2021 Kopech always has been inward-looking, maintaining his baseball career was always part of the journey, not the entire focus of his being. — Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Michael Kopech is back with the Chicago White Sox, explaining why he opted out last year and his outlook for 2021: ‘I need this game a lot more than I realized’," 20 Feb. 2021 An effort by police to shut down a pipeline for pirated content has resurrected debate around censorship in China, opening a window into the anxieties felt by many Chinese as the country grows more inward-looking under leader Xi Jinping. — Sha Hua, WSJ, "China Nudges Accused Video Pirates Down the Plank, Stirring Frustration Over Censorship," 16 Feb. 2021 But the judge concluded his order by reminding the FOP to look inward regarding the rules, citing evidence that officers on patrol are already not adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. — Jason Meisner, chicagotribune.com, "Federal judge pointedly reminds Chicago police to wear masks themselves as union accuses city of holding unsafe training sessions during pandemic," 7 Dec. 2020 When a giant star exhausts its fuel, the star’s mass flows inward and its core collapses. — quantamagazine.org, "‘Unicorn’ Discovery Points to a New Population of Black Holes," 27 Jan. 2021 Had a premolar decided to lie down on its side while its neighbors huddled inward, as if my mouth had decided to clench into a fist? — Jessica Iredale, Town & Country, "Smile! How Dental Work Became the New Face-Lift," 26 Jan. 2021 Following the nationwide reckoning on racial justice, the Globe is looking inward at the impact its coverage has had on communities of color. — BostonGlobe.com, "The Globe’s Fresh Start initiative: Frequently Asked Questions," 22 Jan. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun For most Jews, Hanukkah has always been an inward, at-home, after-work-on-a-Wednesday sort of affair. — Rachel Levin, SFChronicle.com, "COVID may ruin Christmas, but it can’t cancel Hanukkah," 9 Dec. 2020 Then came Brexit and the election of Trump, both of which marked the symbolic turning-inward of countries that had previously been open to migrants, to cosmopolitanism. — Rachel Donadio, The Atlantic, "The Death of Cosmopolitanism," 23 June 2020 Through a metamorphosis of inward self reflection and a malleability to forgive, 3 years did not stretch to forever. — Lisa Respers France, CNN, "Tallulah Willis didn't speak to mom Demi Moore for three years," 12 May 2020 Through a metamorphosis of inward self reflection and a malleability to forgive, 3 years did not stretch to forever. — Lisa Respers France, CNN, "Tallulah Willis didn't speak to mom Demi Moore for three years," 12 May 2020 Through a metamorphosis of inward self reflection and a malleability to forgive, 3 years did not stretch to forever. — Ashley Boucher, PEOPLE.com, "Demi Moore's Daughter Tallulah Willis Says Mother's Day Used to Make Her Feel Like 'Absolute Dust'," 11 May 2020 Using a small eye brush, start from the outer corner of the eyes and work inwards, so that the color gets gradually lighter. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "A Guide to Ageless Makeup for Women Over 50, According to an Industry Veteran," 27 Mar. 2019 The lights feature tall, thin vertical light blades for running lights and even longer rear light blades that bend inwards at the midpoint to reduce the appearance of bulkiness. — Mark Phelan, USA TODAY, "2021 Cadillac Escalade loads up on tech and comfort to fend off Lincoln and Mercedes," 5 Feb. 2020 Ski touring is about slowing down, turning inwards, and tuning into nature. — Jen Murphy, Sunset Magazine, "Earn Your Burn on a Secret Backcountry Skiing Adventure in Colorado," 13 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.